Painting aluminum siding costs an average of $5,730, but pricing varies dramatically based on the size of the home, labor expenses, and the materials used.
A big part of your home’s curb appeal is its outward appearance. If you’re looking for a way to get your home’s aluminum siding to pop, painting it is a great option. But how much is it going to cost to paint your house's exterior? What’s the average price of a gallon of paint? How many gallons of paint will you need? How much could you save by doing it yourself? Should you do it yourself? We answer these questions and more in this guide.
The cost range for painting aluminum siding is pretty broad as it depends on a number of factors. Generally, you can expect to pay between $3,125 and to $8,300 to paint a 2,500-square-foot home, which comes down to about $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot. This price includes preparing your home exterior for paint, labor, and cleanup.
So what are you spending your money on when you hire a contractor to do the job? Here’s a basic breakdown of all the costs to paint a house with aluminum siding.
Another huge factor is how big your house is. The larger a home is, the more siding there is, and therefore the more paint and labor you'll need to get the job done. The height of the home exterior will also impact the cost as painters will have to work on a ladder or build scaffolding.
Paint can cost between $35 and $70 per gallon depending on the brand you choose, and oil-based primer ranges from $20 to $50 per gallon. As a result, you may save hundreds of dollars by going with the less expensive brands. However, they may not look as good or last as long.
Oil-based, latex, and acrylic latex are the best exterior paint types. The one you choose will impact both the finish and the cost. If you’re working with a painter, check with them to find out if it makes more sense to have them buy the paint or for you to buy it yourself. Many painters get a discounted price from paint suppliers. Even after a small markup for the time and resources to get the paint and bring it to the job, you may save money compared to paying full retail price yourself.
| Paint Type | Average Cost (per gallon) |
|---|---|
| Oil | $20–$60 |
| Latex | $20–$50 |
| Acrylic latex | $20–$50 |
Many professional painters like to use oil-based paint for aluminum siding because of its adhesion and durability. At $20 to $60 per gallon, oil paint will generally cost more than other kinds of paint. But if you want a smooth finish, oil paint is the way to go.
Acrylic and acrylic latex paints are easy to work with (take note if you’re going the DIY route), they go on smoothly and they dry quickly. If you’re buying the paint yourself, acrylic is also easy to find at most big box stores. Be careful, though, as you’ll need to work quickly because of the short drying time. Acrylic paint usually costs about $20 to $50 per gallon.
The best paint finish for your home exterior depends on the setting you’re in and what kind of wear and tear it’s likely to experience. Acrylic latex is the best paint choice for being both eco-friendly and safer for kids and pets.
Labor costs are one of the biggest factors affecting the price as they can range from $25 to $100 per hour for each painter. The difference is potentially thousands of dollars, so be sure to do your research.
This generally applies if you're doing the work yourself. If you own a ladder, power washer, and other miscellaneous supplies associated with painting siding, then you're good here. But if you don't, you'll either have to buy or rent those items, which adds costs to the project.
Chances are, you know how much siding you need to paint, but you may wonder how much it will cost to get the job done. Below are a range of prices and what you can generally expect to get for each budget.
It's possible to pay far below the above-quoted price range. If you live in an area with low-cost labor and get the materials at a discount, getting in the $1.50 per square foot range, you could pay this price on a smaller 1,000-square-foot home.
This is the bottom end of the typical price range. At this price, you should be able to paint a larger 2,500-square-foot home if you can get labor and materials at a lower-than-average price.
This is the average price you can expect to pay for a standard-sized 2,500-square-foot home.
You'll be able to paint a 2,500-square-foot home at this price even if you have to pay a premium for materials and labor. Or, you can paint a much larger home if your costs are average or below average.
If you’ve got a large house to paint and want to pull out all the stops, you’ll probably have to spend in the five-figure range.
If you think you can do the job yourself, you'll save a good bit of money on labor. However, you'll still need to buy the paint. It costs $50 per gallon to buy the 100% acrylic paint you'll need for the siding, which comes out to about $0.20 per square foot on average.
You'll need about 10 gallons of paint to cover a 2,500-square-foot home, which will cost you $500. You’ll also need $70 to $150 worth of primer. That's a lot of savings compared to paying thousands of dollars to have someone else do it for you.
However, painting aluminum siding can be back-breaking labor, and a professional may do a better job of painting the right number of coats on your home. Let’s face it;, when we get tired, it tends to show up in the details, which can make the difference between an okay job and a job well done.
One of the biggest factors is whether you'll hire a painter to do the job or attempt to do it yourself. Since much of the cost of this project depends on labor, you can save a lot of money doing it yourself. However, it's a hard job, and you may not do it right, so remember there's a reason people hire professionals to do this work.
In most cases, you should be more focused on hiring the right painting contractor for the job.
Derek Rose contributed to this article.
Paint lasts 5 to 10 years on aluminum siding before it begins to fade, chip, or show other signs of wear and tear. Paint can hold up beyond that time frame, but it depends on the quality of paint, the degree to which it’s maintained, and the climate in which you live.
Spray painting offers a few advantages for aluminum siding, making it an overall better option than rolling. Spraying is faster and easier, and the coats are more likely to apply evenly. Using a roller is a viable method, though, and it can save money if you don’t already own a paint sprayer. The paint should last the same length of time regardless of whether you spray it or roll it on.
A self-etching primer is the best option for aluminum siding. These are specifically designed to bond with bare metals, among other surfaces, leading to better adhesion and corrosion resistance. An oil-based primer is a good alternative if you can’t find a self-etching primer.
